Multi-Purpose Storage Device

ABSTRACT

A storage device comprises a body portion, a releasable lid and a hanging apparatus. The body portion includes a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls, the body portion further including a mounting point on an upper side of the bottom wall. The releasable lid defines a hole and is dimensioned to cover a top of the body portion opposite the bottom wall. The hanging apparatus extends from the mounting point of the body portion and through the hole of the lid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related generally to storage devices and, moreparticularly, to storage and transport devices for clothing and otheritems for use in a setting without proper hanging facilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

General storage devices are obviously well known in the art. Containers,both with and without lids are used to facilitate storage, organizationand easy transfer of items. Such containers vary in both strength andsize to serve many different purposes. However, a simple storagecontainer, either with or without a lid, is not enough for somesettings.

For example, many hunters utilize rough and relatively primitive livingaccommodations. Therefore, it is desirable to utilize a strong plasticstorage container to protect their belongings rather than simpleluggage. Furthermore, in this type of setting the user of the storagecontainer will be traveling with more than just clothing and may needlarge items such as pots and pans for cooking. Once hunters arrive attheir accommodations there may be a lack of locations to hang theirclothing which may need to dry out overnight; standard storage devicesknown in the art do not properly satisfy this need.

While a vast array of storage devices exist, there is still a need for astorage device that it is simple yet can serve these multiple functions.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an multiple purpose storagedevice overcoming some of the problems and shortcomings of the priorart, including those referred to above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple-purpose storagedevice adapted to allow easy packing and transport while allowingstorage and hanging of objects, primarily clothing, once the device hasbeen transported.

How these and other objects are accomplished will become apparent fromthe following descriptions and the drawings.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a storage device designed for easy useboth as a storage device for bulky objects and simultaneously as a rackfor hanging and/or drying clothes. This invention, which will bedescribed in detail below, is an improvement in storage container designwhere the storage container serves only one purpose and does not provideany apparatus for hanging.

The inventive storage device comprises a body portion, a releasable lidand a hanging apparatus. The body portion includes a bottom wall and aplurality of side walls, the body portion further including a mountingpoint on an upper side of the bottom wall. The releasable lid defines ahole and is dimensioned to cover a top of the body portion opposite thebottom wall. The hanging apparatus extends from the mounting point ofthe body portion and through the hole of the lid.

In another preferred embodiment of the storage device the hangingapparatus is collapsible. In this invention use of the word collapsibleincludes any known method of decreasing the size of the hangingapparatus. Therefore, an apparatus that is foldable or capable of beingdisassembled or capable of collapsing into itself would all beconsidered to be collapsible under the current invention.

In a more specific embodiment, the hanging apparatus includes a top anda bottom with the bottom of the hanging apparatus is supported in placeby the mounting point of the body portion.

In another embodiment the hanging apparatus is comprised of a pluralityof pole sections releasably connected to each other. Further, the bodyportion then includes a releasable lid that covers a top of the bodyportion opposite the bottom wall. The releasable lid defines a hole forallowing the hanging device to pass through the lid when the hangingdevice is in place with the mounting point.

In yet a further preferred embodiment the hanging apparatus furtherincludes a cross extension section releasably attached to a top polesection. Further embodiments may include a plurality of these crossextension sections.

In other embodiments the lid may include a releaseable cap for sealingthe hole in the lid when the hanging apparatus is not in use. Also, inpreferred embodiments the pole sections and cross extension sections ofthe hanging apparatus are sized to fit within the body section of thestorage device when they are disassembled or collapsed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of astorage device of the present invention including a cutaway view to showthe mounting point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a storage device 10 of thecurrent invention. The storage device 10 includes a body portion 20, ahanging apparatus 30 and a lid 40. In this preferred embodiment, all thepieces of the storage device are formed from plastic, however any othermaterials capable of performing the function could be utilized. Forexample, if further strength were needed, the storage device 10 could bemade from metal.

The body portion 20 is comprised of four side walls 22 and a bottom wall23. The side walls 22 all include a top 24 and a bottom 25. The bottoms25 of the side walls 22 are connected to the bottom wall 25 and the sidewalls 22 are connected to the side walls 22 on either side. This formsthe body portion 20. The bottom wall 23 further includes an upper side27 that includes a circular-shaped mounting point 26 for receiving thehanging apparatus 30.

In this preferred embodiment the hanging apparatus 30 is comprised offour pole sections 31 and two cross extension sections 32. Each polesection 31 has an open top 33 and tapered bottom 34. Preferably, thepole sections 31 and cross extension sections 32 are of dimensions tofit within the body section 20 when not in use. In this embodiment, oneof the pole sections 31 defines slots 35 for receiving the crossextension sections 32. However, in other embodiments, each pole section31 could include the slots 34 so that it did not matter which individualpole section 31 was on top. Each cross extension section 32 fits withina slot 35 in a locking relationship when downward force is applied yeteasily releasable when upward force is applied.

The lid 40 is dimensioned to fit on top of the body portion 20. The lid40 includes an outer lip 41 that is sized to mate with the tops 24 ofthe side walls 22 of the body portion 20. The lid 40 defines a hole 42that, when the lid 40 is in the mated relationship with the bodyportion, is aligned with the mounting point 26. In this preferredembodiment, the lid 40 also includes a releasable cap 43 sized to fitthe hole 42. This cap 43 is preferably attached to the lid 40 so thatwhen it is removed from the hole 42 it is not easily lost.

In use the storage device 10 will be utilized primarily in two ways.First, when the storage device 10 is being transported or there is noneed for the hanging apparatus 30, the pole sections 31 and crossextension sections 32 can be easily stored with the body portion 20 withthe lid 40 on. The cap 43 is placed in the hole 42 and the storagedevice 10 is sealed like any known storage container.

Second, when the hanging apparatus 30 is needed, the lid 40 is removedfrom the body portion 20 and the cap 43 is opened exposing the hole 42.The hanging apparatus 30 is then assembled by inserting the taperedbottom 34 of one pole section 31 into the open top 33 of another polesection 31. The pole section 31 that includes the slots 35 is placed atthe top and the other three sections are assembled below. The crossextension sections 32 are then inserted into the slots 35. Optionally,the lid 40 can be placed back on top of the body portion, whereby thehole 42 is aligned with the mounting point 26. The assembled hangingapparatus 30 is then slid into the hole 42 until the tapered bottom 34of the bottom-most pole section 31 is inserted into the mounting point26. The storage device 10 is then assembled to be used to hang clothesor whatever else may be needed.

While the principles of the invention have been shown and described inconnection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that suchembodiments are by way of example and are not limiting.

1. A storage device comprising: a body portion including a bottom walland a plurality of side walls, the body portion further including amounting point on an upper side of the bottom wall; a releasable liddefining a hole and dimensioned to cover a top of the body portionopposite the bottom wall; and a hanging apparatus extending from themounting point of the body portion and through the hole of the lid. 2.The storage device of claim 1 wherein the hanging apparatus iscollapsible.
 3. The storage device of claim 2 wherein the hangingapparatus is releasable and includes a top and a bottom and the bottomof the hanging apparatus is supported in place by the mounting point ofthe body portion.
 4. The storage device of claim 3 wherein the hangingapparatus is comprised of a plurality of pole sections releasablyconnected to each other.
 5. The storage device of claim 4 wherein thehanging apparatus further includes a cross extension section releasablyattached to a top pole section.
 6. The storage device of claim 5including a plurality of cross extension sections releasably attached tothe top pole section.
 7. The storage device of claim 1 wherein the bodyportion and the mounting point are integral.
 8. The storage device ofclaim 7 wherein the storage device is comprised of plastic.
 9. Thestorage device of claim 1 wherein the lid further includes a releasablecap sized to fit the hole when the hanging apparatus is removed.
 10. Thestorage device of claim 9 wherein the pole sections and cross extensionsfit within the body section when released from each other.